Wire take-up



V. G. PETERS WIRE TAKE-UP Jan. 7, 1969 Sheet Filed July 5, 1967 m. g EU! Fig.

INVENTOR.

V. G. PETERS Fig. 9

Jan. 7, 1969 Filed July 5, 1967 V. G. PETERS v WIRE TAKE-UP Shee'l 2 Jan. 7,v v G, PETERS WIRE TAKE-UP A Filed July s, '19673 sheet 3 of s ,ooprALE Dv/cf ro rmoA/JFER 33 WIRE 25 To MF1-y REE/ INVENTOR.

V. G. PETERS United States Patent O 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a dual wire take-up, moving wire, being paid `onto a reel that has become full, is fastened to the drum of an empty reel by means of an adhesive strip that is applied over it. At the same time the length of strand between the empty reel and the full reel is cut so that the full reel can be removed from the apparatus.

Background of the invention My invention has applications in the field of winding and reeling strands onto reels, spools or bobbins and particularly to the continuous winding of reels without interruption of the winding process when one of the reels becomes lfull.

In the prior art it has been known to'mount two or more take-up reels on a turret where only one of the reels is being driven to take up a strand. When this reel becomes full the turret is rotated to bring an empty reel into the line of advance of the strand which starts to wind then on the empty reel, while the trailing end of the strand from the full reel is cut. In some dual take-up devices, so called, the reels are not mounted on a turret but the strand itself is deflected from one full reel to another empty reel without interrupting the take-up operation. Two problems in al1 these devices have been to find a fool-proof method of fastening the moving strand to the drum of the empty reel, and to cut the strand between the two reels at the proper instant. One widely used means of attaching the strand to the empty reel has employed the use of wedging members or snaggers as exemplified 1by Patent 2,868,468. This means is usually wasteful of strand, needs careful maintenance, and requires a complicated structure built into the take-up mechanism itself. In Patent 2,177,311 it was suggested that adhesive could be applied to the periphery of the empty spool of an automatic textile spooler to make a thread, that is being taken up, adhere to an empty spool. While this method might work for textile threads it is not applicable to heavy strands or wires and it is the experience of the present applicant that wire larger than the very -finest magnet wire cannot be transferred with any degree of reliability by means of adhesive applied to the drum of a take-up reel, principally, it is felt, because the area of contact with the drum is so small.

Summary of the invention My invention comprises an improvement in a multireel continuous strand take-up mechanism, of the type Where a moving strand and an empty reel are brought together after a preceding reel has been filled with the strand. The mechanism is improved by providing means to apply a strip of adhesive tape over the strand on the empty reel to lbind the strand to the reel, and means, timed to the tape applying means, to sever the strand between the full and empty reels, downstream of the applied tape. The severing means preferably comprises a cutting edge cutting the strand against the empty reel, and the tape applying means preferably comprises a resilient roller that presses the tape against the strand and the empty reel.

3,420,459 Patented Jan. 7, 1969 ICC I have invented a strand-transfer take-up apparatus that comprises a turret, a plurality of reels rotatably mounted on the turret with one of the reels loading strand from a fixed station. My apparatus comprises means driving the loading reel so that the strand advances from the station to the reel. The turret is capable of revolving so as to position an empty reel in proximity to the strand between the fixed station and the loading reel, and there are means for applying a strip of adhesive tape over the strand on the empty reel to bind the strand to the reel, and means, timed to the tape-applying means, for severing the strand. In my apparatus means are also provided for fixing the tape-applying means and severing means onto the turret in a predetermined relation to the empty reel. The tape applying means and severing means are preferably provided with a mounting so that they can be fixed, in turn, to a plurality of turrets.

A particular embodiment of my apparatus comprises a mounting plate, means for positioning the plate relative to an empty reel mounted on a turret, and tape applying means mounted on the plate. The tape applying means comprises roller means for applying the tape over a strand on the reel and switching means that is responsive to the transfer of the tape. Strand-cutting means are mounted on the plate which comprise a blade actuated to cut the strand against the empty reel, spring means for advancing the blade, a latch for restraining the advancing of the blade, and means that respond to the switching means for releasing the latch.

My method for continuously taking up a strand upon a plurality of reels comprises the steps of taking up a desired quantity of the strand onto a first rotating reel and while still taking up the strand, bringing it together with a second reel at a point on the strand between the first reel and a supply station for the strand. I then bind the strand to the second reel by means of adhesive tape applied over the strand and cut the strand between the first and second reels. The cutting is timed to the operation of binding.

My invention has particular application to the processing of magnet wire at high speeds and permits continuous take-up at higher speeds than were hitherto practicable.

My apparatus has the advantage of being adaptable to reels of different drum diameters.

It has the further advantage that a single binding and cutting unit can service a large number of turrets.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE l shows a side view of an apparatus comprising -my invention.

FIGURES 2-5 show plan views of the apparatus of FIGURE l, with the flanges removed from the reels for the sake of clarity, in progressive positions in the method of my invention.

FIGURE 6 shows a plan view of an apparatus of my invention.

FIGURE 7 shows a side View of the apparatus of FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 8 shows a side section of an element of the :apparatus of FIGURE7.

FIGURE 9 shows a pictorial View of the method of functioning of my apparatus.

FIGURE l0 shows an enlarged pictorial view, from above, of an element of FIGURE 6.

it two spindles 17, 18 driven by respective motors 19, 20 powered from a slip ring shaft 21. The spindles 17, 18 support respective reels 22, 23 for taking up a strand of magnet wire 25 issuing from an enamelling oven, not shown, which may be of any of a plurality of known types. As shown in FIGURE 2 the reel 23 is being wound with wire paying from a traverse sheave 24 to which the wire is payed from a fixed sheave 26 or other fixed station. The traverse sheavc 24 reciprocates on a vertical axis in a known manner to distribute the wire 25 uniformly over the reel 23. When the reel 23 has been tilled the turret 10 can be rotated in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 3-5 for the purpose of introducing the wire 25 to wind on the empty reel 22 without interrupting the advance of the wire. It will be recognized Ithat it is particularly advantageous to avoid any interruption in the advance of Wi-re through an enamelling oven, and in the usual commercial oven, operating at slow speeds in the order of feet per minute, this can be -accomplished merely by hand-pulling the wire while one reel is substituted for another. At high speeds of 100 to 1,000 feet per minute other means, such as those described herein, must be provided to achieve continuous wire take-up.

Itis a feature of my present apparatus that the turret 10 is provided with mounting pins 27, 28 projecting vertically from respective brackets 29, 30 that are securely fastened to project from the turret 10 as shown. The mounting pins 27, 28 serve the purpose of supporting a portable apparatus for fastening the strand to the empty reel and severing it from the full reel as shall be hereinbelow explained.

Referring now lto FIGURES 6 and 7 a portable apparatus, indicated generally by the numeral 32, comprises `a lower plate 33 and an upper plate 34 connected by means of a pin 36 so that they can be rotated relative to each other. The lower plate 33 which is conveniently formed by casting, has ya tubular extension 37 that fits over either of the pins 27, 28 to locate the apparatus 32 on the turret 10 when it is required for the purpose of transferring the Wire to a new reel. Two essential elements for effecting this transfer are mounted on the plate 34. These comprise a tape applicator, indicated generally by the numeral 38, and a strand cutting mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 39, which will be more fully described. With the apparatus 32 positioned on the turret 10 by means of the pin 27 it can be accurately adjusted relative to the reel 22 by means of rolls 41 and 42 which are intended to ride on the surface of the reel drum. The roll 42 which has a soft, resilient surface layer 43 of rubber or similar material comprises an element of the `apparatus 38 that rotates on a pin 44 by means of which the tape applicator 38 is swingably mounted to the plate 34. A limit switch 46 is mounted within a housing 47 of the applicator 38 so that it can be actuated by the movement of a spring member 48. The member 48 has a bent iiat portion 49 that projects slightly through an opening in the housing 47. A length of adhesive tape 51 with a coating of adhesive 52 on one surface is manually prepositioned on the applicator 38 so that a rst portion 53 of the tape 51 having its adhesive surface against the housing 47 serves to restrain the member 48 in the inactivated position. The tape 51 is folded back at the portion 54 to provide a length 56 of the tape 51 extending from the fold 54 under a Teflon roller 57 to a point 58 on the surface 43 of the roll 42. The applicator 38 has a handle 59 by means of which it can be swung around the pin 44 bringing the adhesive surface 52 in contact with the Wire 25 on the empty reel 22. Manipulation ofthe handle 59 also has the effect of turning the plate 34 around the pin 36 to apply pressure to the tape 51 which then advances with the strand 25 and is pulled off of the housing 47, binding the strand 25 rmly onto the reel 22. As the tape 51 pulls off the housing 47 it activates the limit switch 46 through the spring member 48 and thus causes a blade 61 to cut the wire 25 against the `reel 22, thus severing it from the full reel 23 so that it is free to start to wind up on the empty reel. The mechanism 39 for operating the blade 61 is constructed as follows (see also FIGURE 8). The blade `61 is connected to a slide 63 connected in turn to a rod -64 and urged forward by a compression spring 66. The slide `63 is cocked against the spring 66 by means of a cam 67 hand operated by means of a handle 68. A latch 69 interacting with a shoulder 71 of the slide 63 holds the latter in the cocked position against the spring 66 until the swi-tch 46 is activated by the removal of the tape 51 from the housing 47. The switch 46 is connected by means of an electric cable 72 to a solenoid 73 having a plunger 74 which urges the latch 69 to release the slide 63 when the solenoid is energized.

A good quality of pressure sensitive paper masking tape has been found to be eminently suitable for use as the tape 51 and the position of the member 48 is such that the blade 61 strikes the wire 25 at a point immediately downstream of the newly applied length of tape. The exact point at which the wire 25 is cut is not critical, however, since if the strand is cut a fraction `of an inch under the tape the tail end will readily pull out and wind onto the full reel 23.

Operation In the practice of my invention a plurality such as 12 or more reels will be taking up wire from an enamelling oven on a like plurality of turrets. When it is seen that one of these reels is almost full, or a counting device, of which many types are known, indicates that a length approaching the desired length of wire has accumulated on one of the reels, the operator turns the turret 10 clockwise to the position shown in FIGURE 3 so that the pin 27 is in position for mounting the plate 33 but the wire 25 is not unduly abraded against the empty reel 22. The apparatus 32 is then mounted on the pin 27, connection being made to a source of power for Ithe solenoid 73, and the slide 63 being cocked by means of the handle 68. A strip of paper is inserted under the wire being Wound on the reel 23 to indicate the end of the good quality wire on the full spool, since Wire accumulated during the next few seconds may be slightly abraded against the empty reel. The motor 19 is then switched on to rotate the reel 22 and the turret is rotated to the position shown in FIGURE 4 so that the strand 25 passes around the reel 22 to reach the reel 23. The rolls 41, 42 on the apparatus 32 are then brought close to the surface of the empty reel 22. It will be understood that the tape 51, at this time has already been fixed in position on the applicator 38. When the traverse 24 centers Ithe wire 25 with reference to the surface of the roll 42 the soft layer 43 is made to press the tape 51 onto the wire 25 by means of the handle 59. The tape 51 immediately binds the strand 25 to the empty reel and at the same time the strand is cut by the blade 61. The turret is returned counterclockwise to the position of FIGURE 5. The rotation of the spindle 18 is switched olf and the reel 23 removed from the turret and replaced by an empty reel. The apparatus 32 is removed from the pin 27, a new tape 51 is put in position to hold open the switch 46 and the apparatus 32 is removed to a central location for use on the next turret upon which a reel becomes full.

I have invented a new and useful apparatus and method of which the foregoing description has been exemplary rather than definitive and for which I desire an award of Letters Patent as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a multi-reel continuous strand take-up mechanism of the type where a moving strand and an empty reel are brought together upon a preceding reel being filled with said strand, the improvement comprising:

(A) means applying a strip of adhesive tape over said strand on said empty reel, said t-ape binding said strand to said reel, and

(B) means, timed to said tape applying means, severing said strand downstream of said applied tape.

2. The improvement of claim 1 whereinsaid severing means comprises afcutting edge cutting said strand against said empty reel.

3. The improvement of claim 1 comprising resilient roller means pressing said tape against said strand and said empty reel.

4. A strand-transfer take-up apparatus comprising:

(A) aturret,

(B) a plurality of reels rotatably mounted on said turret,

(C) means driving a loading one of said reels to take up strand from a fixed station, said strand advancing from saidjstation to said reel,

(D) said turretpy being capable of revolving so as to position an empty one of said reels in proximity to said strand between said station and said loading reel,

(E) means for, applying a strip of adhesive tape over said strand on said empty reel `and Ithus binding said strand to said reel,

' (F) means, tir'ned to said tape-applying means for severing said strand, and g (G) means fori fixing said tape-applying means and said severing; means onto said -turret in a predetermined jrflation to said empty reel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 comprising a mounting for said tape applying means and said severing means detachable from tsxaid turret whereby said mounting can be fixed, in turn, t o a plurality of turrets.

y6. An apparatus for fastening a strand -to an empty reel and severing it from a full reel on a strand take-up apparatus having said reels mounted on a turret cornprising: l

(A) a mounting plate,

(B) means for positioning said plate relative to said empty reel, and

(C) tape applying means mounted on said plate, cornprising:

(a) rol-ler means for applying said tape over said strand on said reel, and

(b) switching means responsive to the transfer of said tape,

(D) strand :.cutting means mounted on said plate,

comprising:

(a) a blade actuated to cut said strand against said empty reel, (b) spring means for advancing said blade, (c) latching means restraining the advancing of said blade, (d) means, responsive to said switching means,

p for releasing said latching means. 7. A method Vfor continuously taking up a strand upon a plurality of reels comprising the steps of:

(A) taking up 'a desired quantity of said strand upon a first rotating reel from a station supplying said strand,

(B)v while still-taking up said strand on said first reel, bringing together said strand and a second reel at a point on said strand between said rst reel and said station,

(C) binding said strand to said second reel by means of 4a strip of adhesive tape applied over said strand, and

(D) cut-ting said strand between said first Iand said second reels, said cutting lbeing timed to said binding.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,177,311 10/1939 Weimer 242-18 2,321,646 6/ 1943 Blodgett 242-25 3,148,841 9/ 1964 Hollingsworth et al. 242-25 NATHAN L. MINTZ, Primary Examiner. 

